• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.127-140
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• 2024

Upon direct/indirect exposure to flame or heat, composite structures may burn or thermally buckle. This issue becomes more important in the natural fiber-based composite structures with higher flammability and lower mechanical properties. The main goal of the present study was to obtain an optimal eco-friendly composite system with low flammability and high thermal buckling resistance. The studied composite consisted of polypropylene (PP) and short abaca fiber (AF) with eggshell powder (ESP) and halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs) additives. An optimal base composite, consisting of 30 wt.% AF and 70 wt.% PP, abbreviated as OAP, was initially introduced based on burning rate (BR) and the Young's modulus determined by horizontal burning test (HBT) and tensile test, respectively. The effects of adding ESP to the base composite were then investigated with the same experimental tests. The results indicated that though the BR significantly decreased with the increase of ESP content up to 6 wt.%, it had a very destructive influence on the stiffness of the composite. To compensate for the damaging effect of ESP, small amount of HNT was used. The performance of OAP composite with 6 wt.% ESP and 3 wt.% HNT (OAPEH) was explored by conducting HBT, cone calorimeter test (CCT) and tensile test. The experimental results indicated a 9~23 % reduction in almost all flammability parameters such as heat release rate (HRR), total heat released (THR), maximum average rate of heat emission (MARHE), total smoke released (TSR), total smoke production (TSP), and mass loss (ML) during combustion. Furthermore, the combination of 6 wt.% ESP and 3 wt.% HNT reduced the stiffness of OAP to an insignificant amount by maximum 3%. Moreover, the char residue analysis revealed the distinct differences in the formation of char between AF/PP and AF/PP/ESP/HNT composites. Afterward, dilatometry test was carried out to examine the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of OAP and OAPEH samples. The obtained results showed that the CTE of OAPEH composite was about 18% less than that of OAP. Finally, a theoretical model was used based on first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) to predict the critical bucking temperatures of the OAP and OAPEH composite plates. It was shown that in the absence of mechanical load, the critical buckling temperatures of OAPEH composite plates were higher than those of OAP composites, such that the difference between the buckling temperatures increased with the increase of thickness. On the contrary, the positive effect of CTE reduction on the buckling temperature decreased by raising the axial compressive mechanical load on the composite plates which can be assigned to the reduction of stiffness after the incorporation of ESP. The results of present study generally stated that a suitable combination of AF, PP, ESP, and HNT can result in a relatively optimal and environmentally friendly composite with proper flame and thermal buckling resistance with no significant decline in the stiffness.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.11
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• pp.13-22
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• 2020

This research explores the appropriate rubber pricing model and the consistent empirical evidence. This model has been derived from the utility function and firm profit-maximization model of commodity goods. The finding shows that the period t - 1 affects expected commodity price and expected profit of commodity production. In fact, a change in the world price of rubber in the past period led to a change in the expected price of rubber in the short run which influenced the expected rubber profit. As a result, the past-period free on board price has an entirety effect on expected farm price of rubber given an exchange rate. In addition, the rubber pricing model indicates that the profit of local farmer on rubber plant depends solely on the world price of rubber in the short run in case of Thailand. In an empirical study, it was found that a change in the price of ribbed smoke sheet 3 in Singapore Commodity Exchange significantly and positively determined the fluctuation of rubber price at the farm gate in Thailand which was consistent with the behavior of the Thai farmers. Both prices are also cointegrated in the long run. That is, the result states that the VECM is an appropriated pricing model for forecasting the farm price in Thailand.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.72-77
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• 2010

Honeycomb core structure with its excellent stiffness and strength is being utilized in many fields such as interior building material. Because it is inexpensive and renewable, honeycomb paper production is economically and environmentally helpful. However, the paper needs to be fireproofed because it is vulnerable to fire. In this study, we have undergone the performance evaluation process of the honeycomb paper which is widely used as interior material of a fire door and packing material. Four kinds of honeycomb (a honeycomb made of flame-resistant paper; a honeycomb attached with conventional flame-resistant film made in the laboratory; honeycomb impregnated with flame retardant; a honeycomb attached with flame-resistant film after impregnating fire retardant) were used in the study to compare the fire retardant performance. As a result, the honeycomb with impregnated flame retardant showed the highest performance. The flame-resistant film was effective in delaying the igniting time but had a negative effect on the rate of heat and smoke production.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.23-30
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• 2016

A fire extinguishing system for a rack warehouse was recently designed, which only consider the gross area and number of stories. However, the design of such a system should take into account not only the planar structuree, but also the elevation perspectives due to its vertical structure. Moreover, the fire load of the commodities palletized on the racks should be considered, in order to design a performance-based fire safety system that is appropriate for these environmental conditions. For this reason, this study analyzed the fire characteristics of the commodities palletized on the racks (pallet + the commodities in a box unit + vinyl packing material), taking into consideration the results of a field investigation conducted in Korea, as well as the Hazard Classifications of Commodities used in other countries. Through this analysis, the heat release rate (HRR) and smoke production rate (SPR) were derived.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the reaction of lipase-catalyst transesterification using animal fat recovered from fleshing scrap generated during leather making process. Transesterification reaction between fat and primary or secondary alcohol was carried out under the condition of immobilized enzyme catalyst. The conversion rate was the highest when 1.5 mole of methanol was injected by 4 times. As for lipase, Candida antarctica showed the highest conversion rate of 82.2% among the 4 different lipases. It was found that water contained in the fat causes lower conversion rate. The condition of 1.2wt. % of water in the fat decreased the conversion rate by 40%. It was considered that the resulted reactant, fatty acid ester could be used as raw material for biodiesel with the characteristics of not generating SOx and diminishing smoke.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.23-37
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• 2023

One type of biomass that has promising potential for bio pellet production is spent coffee grounds (SCGs). However, previous studies have shown that SCGs in bio pellets cause a lot of smoke. Therefore, they need to be mixed with a material that has a higher calorific value to produce better quality pellets. One material that can be used is pine wood because it has a natural resin content that can increase the calorific value. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of bio pellets produced with SCGs and pine wood charcoal at different particle sizes. The charcoal was ground using either a hammer mill (HM) or a ball mill (BM). Pine wood charcoal was mixed with SCGs at ratios of SCGs to pine wood charcoal of 4:6 and 6:4 by weight, respectively, and the adhesive used a tapioca with a composition ratio 5% of the raw material. The bio pellets were produced using a manual pellet press. The quality of the bio pellets was assessed based on Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 8021-2014, and the physical observations include flame length, burning rate, and compressive strength. The average water content, ash content, and calorific value of the bio pellets were in accordance with SNI 8021-2014, but the density and ash content values were below the standard values. The BM variation of bio pellets had a higher compressive strength than the HM variation, and the 4:6 BM variation had the longest burning time compared with 4:6 HM.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

In this study, the burning behaviours of five different kinds of carpet samples covered with nylon, PP (polypropylene), PTT (poly(trimethylene terephthalate)), wool fabric and NW (nylon and wool) were evaluated by using the cone calorimeter having a radiant flux of 50kW/$m^2$. And the combustion gas toxicity was evaluated according to KS F 2271 test method. As a result of the cone calorimeter test (KS F ISO 5660-1), nylon carpet samples were ignited most easily. In ignition ability or initial flammability, NW carpet samples showed the highest value. In heat release rate (HRR), fire intensity, PP carpet samples were larger than any other samples. Nylon carpet samples were the highest smoke production rate, while N/W carpet samples the lowest. The following were in mass loss rates: NW > wool > nylon > PP > PTT. CO (carbon monoxide) was one of the most toxic gases released from the combustion. PTT carpet samples gave rise to the highest CO concentration, while NW carpet samples the lowest. In addition, PP carpet samples caused the highest $CO_2$ (carbon dioxide) concentration, while NW carpet samples the lowest. Toxicity of the gas produced from carpet samples was determined by the mouse stop motion, and it resulted in the fact that the combustion gas of PTT carpet samples was more toxic than that of any other samples.